United Nations Security Council

Israeli settlers set fire ‌to ⁤homes and vehicles ⁢in ​the West Bank village of Duma early⁤ Monday, hours before Israel​ is ‌set to engage in a flurry of diplomatic⁤ activity with regional ‍and⁤ international ⁣leaders, according to Palestinian officials⁢ and Israeli police. the attacks, condemned by Israeli officials, occurred as Prime⁤ Minister​ Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for meetings⁣ with counterparts and envoys focused⁤ on post-conflict Gaza and regional security.

The violence ‌in duma underscores the escalating tensions in the West Bank amid the ongoing war in gaza and raises concerns about further unrest⁢ as diplomatic efforts intensify. The attacks directly impact ⁤the residents of Duma, displacing‌ families and destroying property, and ‌reflect a broader pattern of settler violence against Palestinians that has ​drawn international criticism. ​The⁢ timing, coinciding with a busy⁣ diplomatic week ‌for Israel, ⁤adds‌ another layer of ​complexity to the already fraught regional landscape.

Palestinian witnesses⁢ reported ⁣that dozens of‌ settlers, some wearing⁤ masks, entered⁣ Duma overnight, torching several homes ⁤and cars. Footage circulating online showed flames engulfing buildings and ⁣thick‌ smoke⁤ rising from the village. No fatalities were reported,⁢ but several residents were treated⁢ for smoke inhalation, according to ⁤the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Israeli police confirmed they were investigating the incident and had launched​ a⁣ manhunt for the perpetrators.”We are treating this incident⁣ with the utmost seriousness,” a police spokesperson said. “All those involved will be brought to justice.”

The attacks drew⁢ swift condemnation from Palestinian Authority officials, who accused Israel⁣ of⁢ failing to⁤ protect Palestinians from settler violence. “This⁢ is a clear escalation and‍ a ‌direct ⁣result of ⁣the incitement and support provided by‌ the Israeli government to settlers,” said a spokesperson for Palestinian⁢ President Mahmoud Abbas.

The diplomatic push beginning this week includes ‍meetings with ⁣the Egyptian⁣ president, the Jordanian king, and a U.S. envoy, all aimed at discussing ‍the future of ​Gaza‌ and preventing a wider regional‍ conflict. The violence in Duma threatens to⁣ complicate these ⁤discussions and further strain relations between Israel and key Arab allies.

The war in Gaza, which began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has killed more than 69,000 ⁣Palestinians in the ⁢coastal enclave, ⁢according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The​ ministry, part of the ​Hamas-run government and⁤ staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records ‍viewed as generally ⁣reliable by autonomous experts. The conflict has⁣ also triggered protests worldwide and led to allegations of genocide, which Israel denies.